Chelsea Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann Transfer Blow, Top Blues Rumours

Atletico Madrid club president Enrique Cerezo has said Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann is content in the Spanish capital, dealing a blow to the Premier League champions who have identified the Frenchman as a potential replacement for Eden Hazard.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Express) quoted the supremo's comments on the striker's focus at the Rojiblancos, saying: "Antoine Griezmann is very happy and satisfied here."

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Rob Draper of the Mail On Sunday claimed the Stamford Bridge club have identified the prolific attacker as a potential £60 million alternative to Hazard, who could leave for Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The massive fee is in line with the former Real Sociedad player's buyout clause, and it could be activated, depending on the status of Atleti's currently suspended FIFA-imposed transfer registration ban.

Draper wrote:

"

The Frenchman, 24, who has been superb for Atletico Madrid in the past two seasons and is one of the most-wanted attacking players in European football, has previously been deemed off limits by the Spanish club, who were facing a FIFA transfer ban in the summer and in January 2017 for signing underage players.

Yet that ban has now been suspended for this summer while an appeal is heard, meaning Griezmann, who has a £60m buy-out clause — the most-expensive in the history of Atletico Madrid — could be allowed to leave, as the funds would allow the club to rebuild before having to miss out on the next two transfer windows.

"

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Griezmann's current deal is set to expire in 2020, and the player has also professed his happiness with Atleti, speaking to Telefoot (h/t Gibbs).

"I am feeling very well at Atletico," Griezmann said."This is a big club, and I want to achieve great things here. I am ambitious, and my goal is to win trophies here."

The 24-year-old has made great strides since signing for Atletico, replacing Diego Costa as the Spain international departed for the Bridge. 

The Frenchman has 16 goals in 28 La Liga and Champions League appearances this term, according to WhoScored.com, and has blossomed into one of Europe's hottest talents.

Here is a video displaying why the Blues currently desire Griezmann:

In other news, Chelsea could be about to offload Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado to his loan club Juventus, after reports suggested the Old Lady want to permanently sign the attacker.

Wally Downes Jr. of the Sun reported Juve are "keen" to end the player's tenure with the Blues, and he is happier playing his football in Serie A after a poor spell in the Premier League.

As Cuadrado prepares to exit and with the possibility of Hazard joining him out the door, it is essential Chelsea find a world-class attacker to service their first team.

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The Blues squad has weakened since the summer—both mentally and physically—and a top signing such as Griezmann would refocus the reigning champions.

Chelsea are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season, and this element is likely to hold them back when they try to buy the best.

The France international is comfortable with Atleti, who are in the middle of a credible title challenge at present, and a transfer to a fallen giant could appear undesirable in the summer, even with a huge fee on the table.